IN CONVERSATION WITH RAYAN RICCI

interview JANA LETONJA

Rayan Ricci is a Gen Z multi-hyphenate redefining where fashion, identity, and storytelling meet. With Italian and Lebanese roots, a Parisian upbringing, and an international career that spans high-fashion editorials, global brand campaigns, and emerging screen roles, Rayan embodies a new kind of creative talent: digitally fluent, culturally fluid, and deeply authentic. Now based in Los Angeles, he continues to bridge the worlds of modeling, acting, and wellness, using his platform to inspire a generation navigating beauty, identity, and belonging in a globalized age.

You grew up in a multicultural household with Italian and Lebanese heritage, while being raised in Paris. How has that shaped the way you see yourself and the world?

I am really grateful for being raised in a multi-cultural household as this has helped my understanding in the differences between religions and backgrounds with a more global look at it. My parents always wanted me to find my own identity and never tried to convince me on any of theirs. Growing up in Paris, I mostly followed a French education which I am proud of, and made my own opinion by traveling and discovering new civilizations on my own. I then brought my passion for art and cinema up to my parents with the ambition of becoming an actor and they supported me one hundred percent. I don’t think many people can have this kind of vision when parents usually tend to protect them by transmitting their own visions about the world or their own vision about what they expect them to be when they grow up.

When you think back to your childhood, what first sparked your interest in style, performance, or self-expression? 

I remember watching American TV shows with my mom, like’ Beverly Hills, 90210’, ‘Baywatch’ or even ‘The Bold And The Beautiful’, and remember being fascinated by the energy created in these series. My mom has always been a huge fashion lover, she would wear beautiful brands and have so much style that I fell in love with fashion because of her. Many of my tastes and values are due to those moments I was spending with my mother, and somehow I always felt like this was the world I wanted to be in, a world of acting and glamour. 

Your modeling career began almost by accident, through social media. When did yourealize it was turning into something bigger than a hobby?

I never really thought of becoming a model in the first place as for me it was something hard to achieve, I wasn’t feeling very handsome. Of course I liked attention, I am a Leo, but being a model is seen as a huge thing where I come from. When I went to Dubai for the first time, things rapidly progressed and some friends introduced me to some agencies and I was immediately going to casting calls that almost instantly led to landing photoshoots. I was having fun and took it as a momentum job, but wouldn’t think it would be what I would be doing to “earn my salad” as we say in French, meaning earning my salary. Then I signed in London, and here I am today in LA signed to a local agency and continuing to shoot.

You’ve modeled for some of the world’s biggest brands. Which campaign or editorial felt like a true “pinch me” moment?

In Dubai, when I started, I was mostly doing e-com which is usually for brands’ websites, lots of changes as you have to do so many looks a day so they can show it on their platform. I found that fun and easy, but very industrial. Then I got another taste when I shot for my first magazine feature with Sorbet. They had more luxury brands and I was excited to try on clothes that had been selected for me. We all know how it feels when we’re sliding inside of a luxury product. So, for that issue we were shooting Prada, YSL, Burberry, Dior, the whole shoot was on the beach in Um AL Quwein during a festival and I had the time of my life. Once back home, I was obviously exausted by the day, but so amazed by the type of shoot I’ve done. It clearly gave me the “pinch me” sensation.

Fashion is evolving quickly. As a Gen Z model. How do you think your generation is reshaping the industry?

I really do think that Gen Z generation is reshaping not only the fashion industry but everything. We are concerned about the world, about technologies, and health. We are the generation that has a foot inside the new technologies made in the early 2ks, but also another foot inside what used to be in the 90s, which is, I think, very important as we are trying to evolve, but also trying to keep the values the world used to enjoy back then. 

How different does it feel preparing for a fashion shoot versus preparing for a screenrole?

It is very similar except one has more things to say. When on a photoshoot, your focus is the camera and the energy you’re giving which is supposed to sell what you’re representing. As an actor, you also have to sell a certain energy as you are playing someone’s story even if it’s a quick “Hi, can I take your order?”. I would say prepearing for screen requires a little more digging into what story you’re telling, more than just an energy. And for myself, I like to sit down and understand who am I playing, how old is that character, where does he come from, and what has he been through. For a photoshoot, I would just show up and get excited about what I would wear.

You’ve built your platform authentically online—before the agencies, before Hollywood. How do you balance digital identity with your real self?

My audience knows I don’t pretend to be someone, I just do what I do, post about my travels, my lifestyle, and that’s what they like. I find it very satisfying having people who support your way of thinking, and approve your decisions and choices. I never tried to promote anything I do not believe in. I used to find it hard combining social media presence and personal life as I used to think “What does the audience need” and then realized to just do my things and share it instead of falling into what most people fall into, which is living to create content. I prefer to live in the moment and if I do have anything to post, then great, and if not, I at least enjoyed the moment.

You’ve spoken about redefining masculinity in fashion. How do you personally interpret that idea through your work?

I don’t think I am “redefining” masculinity, but I do try to keep as much masculinity into whatever I am doing as I feel like it is a part of the role I am giving to myself and what I’m feeling comfortable with. I usually try to have a general look at things and adapt any style of any fashion situation so it doesn’t screams like I’m trying too much, but more like I’m comfortably living in style. I’ve been having a hard time catching up with fashion since I moved to LA as everybody here wears gym outfits, which is good as I workout a lot and feels comfortable due to the beautiful weather, but I do miss fashion. The fashion you bring to cities like NYC, Paris or London is just so satisfying.

Your motto is “Abs by discipline. Career by design. Accent by birthright.” Can you unpack that for us?

I tried to assemble few points of what my life is, which is working out a lot, not only because I want abs but because it is a discipline to have. I find my peace in letting go during my workout and this energy requires a lot of mental focus and strength. Career by design is my way of saying “Do what you want to do.” I am an artist passionate about cinema and fashion, I do my best every single day to achieve a dream that I have and I chose to follow that road. Obviously my accent makes who I am, and I’m conscious that this might open or close some doors, but here I am assuming a hundred percent who and what I bring to the table which is a French boy with a puppy energy.

Looking ahead, do you see yourself leaning more toward film, fashion, or continuing to build a balance between the two?

I would be happy to keep a balance between the two, but as of now, my main passion is and has always been acting. It isn’t as easy as I thought it would be when coming here, but I do have a few projects and I love seeing the positive in anything. If I could share my time 70 % for film and 30 % for fashion, that would be great.

What can you share with us about your upcoming projects?

Lots coming up. Now that summer is over, it’s time to work. Many travels and many shoots ahead.

CREDITS
photography JONNY MARLOW